BCoE Highlights Traineeship Success Ahead of 2026 Intake Opening

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) Bushfire Centre of Excellence (BCoE) has proudly concluded its second Karla Katitjin Traineeship Program, which ran from January 2024 to June 2025. This program provides First Nations Australians with hands-on experience in cultural and contemporary land management practices while gaining a nationally recognised qualification.

Two trainees Dee-Anne Salmon, a Traditional Owner from Bindjareb Country, and Ryan Tate, who descends from Wiilman Country in the Upper Great Southern region successfully completed the program and a Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystems Management.

Blending on-Country learning with practical fieldwork, the traineeship is designed to build confidence, cultural knowledge and practical skills.

Dee-Anne and Ryan worked closely with the BCoE Cultural Fire Program team, supporting Traditional Custodians and Indigenous ranger groups to carry out cultural burns. Their field activities with the DFES State Bushfire Mitigation took them from Lancelin in the north to Nowanup near Gnowangerup in the south.

Dee-Anne reflected on her experience:

“Being able to rekindle Indigenous practices, I think that’s really important. We haven’t been able to go out on Country to do these cultural burns and our practices for almost 200 years because of colonisation,” she said.

Alongside fieldwork, the trainees also completed professional development courses at the BCoE, including leadership training and future career pathways. They completed a range of DFES and nationally accredited training courses, including fauna and venomous snake handling, mechanical bushfire mitigation equipment operations and off-road emergency driving. Both played an active role in the BCoE’s bi-annual Bushfire Training Forum, welcoming event attendees and leading facility tours.

Ryan shared his motivation for applying for the program:

“I was looking for opportunities to get a connection to Country, to learn more about culture and what I can about my First Nations background,” he said.

Throughout the traineeship, Dee-Anne and Ryan were supported by dedicated mentors from the BCoE’s Cultural Fire and the Training Delivery teams. Both say this guidance, along with opportunities to collaborate with other DFES teams and community groups, strengthened their skills and confidence.

Since graduating, Ryan has stepped into a new role as a Vocational Support Officer with the Department of Justice coordinating bushfire mitigation works, while Dee-Anne is working as a Cultural Fire Support Officer with DFES.

Recruitment for the next Karla Katitjin Traineeship Program intake, open to First Nations Australians, will begin in the coming months. Interested applicants are encouraged to watch the Karla Katitjin Traineeship Program video, check for announcements on the BCoE webpage and view jobs.wa.gov.au for updates.